Shark or Jet? Tanglewood delivers movie magic and more

Tanglewood will ask the million-dollar question, "Are you a Shark or a Jet?" as the BSO performs Leonard Bernstein’s score from "West Side Story" on July 13. But, wait, there's lots more in store this season at the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer home.

By Bob Tremblay/DAILY NEWS STAFF

Milford Daily News

By Bob Tremblay/DAILY NEWS STAFF

Posted Jun. 30, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 30, 2013 at 4:25 AM

By Bob Tremblay/DAILY NEWS STAFF

Posted Jun. 30, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 30, 2013 at 4:25 AM

» Social News

This year, the Tanglewood Music Festival will not only being making music. It will be making news.

For starters, conductor Andris Nelsons will lead the Boston Symphony Orchestra in a performance of the Verdi "Requiem" on July 27, marking his first appearance with the BSO since being appointed the orchestra's new music director.

Tanglewood will also ask the million-dollar question, "Are you a Shark or a Jet?" as the BSO performs Leonard Bernstein’s score from "West Side Story" on July 13. But, wait, there's more as this music will be performed while the newly re-mastered 1961 film is being shown on large screens in high definition with the original vocals and dialogue. Cast members from the film will also be at the concert.

Mark Volpe, the BSO’s managing director, notes that Bernstein was not only a Tanglewood regular, he launched his career at the festival. "We have a very personal relationship with Bernstein at Tanglewood," Volpe says. David Newman makes his BSO debut conducting this performance.

Other new offerings at Tanglewood include $20 tickets for attendees under 40 (ticket prices range from $30 to $105 for others) and the introduction of the BSO 101 Music Appreciation Series and "Underscore Fridays." The music appreciation series is free and will be led by BSO Director of Program Publications Marc Mandel with members of the BSO. It will take place on four Wednesdays (July 10, July 24, Aug. 7 and Aug. 21) from 12:45 to 2 p.m. in the Tanglewood Tent Club. The sessions will focus on a single work to be played by the BSO on each of those Tanglewood weekends, examining and illuminating aspects of musical shape and form, and of the composer’s individual musical style.

All of these sessions will include recorded musical examples, and each is self-contained so that no prior musical training or attendance at any previous session is required. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch, though there will also be an option to buy lunch at the Tent Club.

The "Underscore Friday" series, meanwhile, will feature BSO musicians speaking from the stage about the evening’s program prior to select Friday vening concerts during the season.

What isn’t new this season is a performance by violinist Joshua Bell, who opens the festival on July 5 for his 25th consecutive summer since making his first guest appearance in 1989. He’ll be performing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos conducting the BSO in an all-Tchaikovsky concert.

A concert performance by Emmanuel Music of John Harbison’s "The Great Gatsby," on July 11;

Tanglewood Music Center productions of Purcell’s "Dido and Aeneas" and Britten’s "Curlew River," under the direction of Mark Morris, on July 31 and Aug. 1; and the U.S. premiere of George Benjamin’s opera, "Written on Skin," on Aug. 12;

The Boston Pops in five concerts, including Keith Lockhart leading programs, featuring country music star Vince Gill, on July 7, and American Songbook champion Michael Feinstein on Aug. 16;Performances by popular artists, include Jackson Browne on July 4; Barenaked Ladies, Ben Folds Five and Guster on July 23; and Steve Miller Band on July 29.

Audra McDonald sings Saturday, Aug. 24 during "John Williams' Film Night" with the Boston Pops Orchestra, John Williams and David Newman, conductors.

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The festival closes Aug. 25 with a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony under the baton of BSO Conductor Emeritus Bernard Haitink.

Located between Lenox and Stockbridge in western Massachusetts, Tanglewood has been the BSO’s summer home since 1937.

"Every city of any consequence, whether it’s Europe, South America, Asia or North America, has concert halls and we’re very fortunate in Boston to have one of the better concert halls, if not that best," says Volpe. "Name a city and there’s a concert hall or two in it. That being said, what makes the Boston Symphony absolutely unique in the world of orchestras is Tanglewood where you have this gestalt of music and nature. You have probably the preeminent summer training program for young musicians, typically in their 20s, and then you have this incredible festival where you have the Yo-Yo Mas, Pinchas Zukermans and Josh Bells of the world…. You have all these blockbuster artists and programs, and there’s something for everyone. With this wide spectrum of music, almost anybody can find something of interest."